New owner ‘74 survivor in Canada
- Thread starter CBH123
- Start date
Welcome CBH123! Please consider adding a signature so that we'll know a bit more about you and your coach.
This forum is about three years old and has a substantial and growing amount of activity and expertise. It also offers a mobile-friendly experience with easy photo/video posting. GMCnet, by comparison, is bare-boned but has a long history and many knowledgeable GMC'ers. There is plenty of cross-pollination (myself included) between the forums. When I'm doing research, I will often Google "search GMCnet", which leads me to the best search engine for mining the voluminous amount of info stored there (or one can just bookmark it: https://groups.google.com/g/gmcnet-archive).
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Thanks for noticing! I am about an hour north of montreal. And winter has arrived, the old tires gave no grip, and I wanted to get it to a less eyesore spot for the winter. I tried to drive it, sanded the road… no joy, then I remembered I had a 16” set of chains and it worked perfectly.
I carry a set of chains, "just in case". Do every thing I can to avoid an event that I may need them. I suppose I should "try them on" to make sure they fit AND I know how to install them. Hummmm.....
CBH,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.....
You have a good start on a sigfile, but as CBH123 is not much of a name, we would like more so that when we meet we can feel less stupid about not knowing who you are.
You listed your coach as a '74 Glenbrook. The information that has been acquired lists the first year of Glenbrook as the 75my. This does not matter much, but there were some important changes with the 75my. It is interesting that you believe she has only be 60K miles. If the engine has never been apart, this is possible, but it is also possible that this is not correct, just be ready.
This is a very helping and supportive group. When you get advice here or at the old mailing list forum, you would do well to pay attention. Over at GMCnet there are some one their third coach having worn two out (that is about 300K in many cases) and still a couple of original owners.
Three up front cautions:
1- All the rubber parts are over age.
2- The cooling system should be flushed if it has not been in the last 3~5 years.
3- The brake system should be flushed (again in 3~5 years).
Good notes here, if you replace all the coolant hose including that to the water heater, you are almost done with the cooling system. If you replace the rubber brake lines, the same. Think about the calipers and wheel cylinders while you are at it. If any show the slightest distress, this is the time to get them replaced.
Be ready to grease the bogie pins every 1000 miles (1500kM). The seals are old, replacing them is a lot of work. Many of us have found that the Valvoline synthetic with MoS2 (VV985) gives good results. Yes, it is expensive, but even the most expensive grease is still less expensive than buying parts. The front end has a dozen or more grease fittings. If you have trouble getting on those, come back here for some suggestions as to what works well there. If some parts have been up dated, there may be as many as 16 places to grease.
A short word of caution, there are several groups over on Facebook. There are several that inhabit those pages that portend to know much more than it seems that they do. I have stopped reading those pages, but before I did there were three owners that took advice there and three owners that ended up being forced to scrap what had been a salvageable coach. I can no longer bear to read that.
If you have not found and printed a copy of the GMC Assist (aka Black's) list, do that today. By becoming an owner you have just acquired several a big collection of brand new old friends. There are good number in Canada, but about half are on the other side of the country. There are few listed in Quebec, but many in the nearby provinces.
Do not ever hold back for fear of asking a "stupid" question. We have heard them all by now and if between as search of the two forums, you don't find an answer, it is probably just that you may not have asked it the way we know it. We were born knowing all about GMC/TZEs.
As this community so reminds me of the watermen that are my world, I like to welcome new owners much as you might be welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome CBH
Matt
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.....
You have a good start on a sigfile, but as CBH123 is not much of a name, we would like more so that when we meet we can feel less stupid about not knowing who you are.
You listed your coach as a '74 Glenbrook. The information that has been acquired lists the first year of Glenbrook as the 75my. This does not matter much, but there were some important changes with the 75my. It is interesting that you believe she has only be 60K miles. If the engine has never been apart, this is possible, but it is also possible that this is not correct, just be ready.
This is a very helping and supportive group. When you get advice here or at the old mailing list forum, you would do well to pay attention. Over at GMCnet there are some one their third coach having worn two out (that is about 300K in many cases) and still a couple of original owners.
Three up front cautions:
1- All the rubber parts are over age.
2- The cooling system should be flushed if it has not been in the last 3~5 years.
3- The brake system should be flushed (again in 3~5 years).
Good notes here, if you replace all the coolant hose including that to the water heater, you are almost done with the cooling system. If you replace the rubber brake lines, the same. Think about the calipers and wheel cylinders while you are at it. If any show the slightest distress, this is the time to get them replaced.
Be ready to grease the bogie pins every 1000 miles (1500kM). The seals are old, replacing them is a lot of work. Many of us have found that the Valvoline synthetic with MoS2 (VV985) gives good results. Yes, it is expensive, but even the most expensive grease is still less expensive than buying parts. The front end has a dozen or more grease fittings. If you have trouble getting on those, come back here for some suggestions as to what works well there. If some parts have been up dated, there may be as many as 16 places to grease.
A short word of caution, there are several groups over on Facebook. There are several that inhabit those pages that portend to know much more than it seems that they do. I have stopped reading those pages, but before I did there were three owners that took advice there and three owners that ended up being forced to scrap what had been a salvageable coach. I can no longer bear to read that.
If you have not found and printed a copy of the GMC Assist (aka Black's) list, do that today. By becoming an owner you have just acquired several a big collection of brand new old friends. There are good number in Canada, but about half are on the other side of the country. There are few listed in Quebec, but many in the nearby provinces.
Do not ever hold back for fear of asking a "stupid" question. We have heard them all by now and if between as search of the two forums, you don't find an answer, it is probably just that you may not have asked it the way we know it. We were born knowing all about GMC/TZEs.
As this community so reminds me of the watermen that are my world, I like to welcome new owners much as you might be welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome CBH
Matt
I am Bruce Harling, Ill fix the avatar soon
The overall condition of the interior and undercarriage seem to match the low miles. My build date is December 73. how do I know my model name? My VIN stick says model is ZE 06581?
My VIN is TZE064V00094
it has two dinettes which seems a bit silly id love to find some swivel chairs for the driver side to replace the small dinette.
My to do list is long as everyone already knows. I need to get it reliably roadworthy. It has been stored for years, I got it from inside an airplane hanger
It needs a radiator and hoses. I dont think I have the hot water preheat with coolant option. The heater hoses dont go rearwards. Will put a thermostat in and hope the water pump lasts a while.
I will pull the intake and do the de-crudding etc, and see about the famous crack. Block ports etc.
Gas tanks need to be emptied and lowered to do all those hoses.
I will do brake hoses etc, and see if I need shoes or pads.
I will replace the suspension airbags, I see a few options. I dont actually plan on driving any significant miles for a while. I think going original will be my choice.
The exhaust is leaking at the connection to the manifold on the LHS. Hopefully just a donut.
Steering to be checked
I also need a full set of wheels and tires unless someone can tell me there are 16.5 in tires somewhere that are compatible with my wheels. The wheel issue is the most expensive with the least labour. Any leads on a good used set of AL wheels would be appreciated
Generator to be gone through.
The power converter was dead, that is already replaced. Its too cold here to see if the fridge works. But it hums when turned on.
Not likely to move very far until the end of next summer. But Ill work on stuff as much as I can.
The overall condition of the interior and undercarriage seem to match the low miles. My build date is December 73. how do I know my model name? My VIN stick says model is ZE 06581?
My VIN is TZE064V00094
it has two dinettes which seems a bit silly id love to find some swivel chairs for the driver side to replace the small dinette.
My to do list is long as everyone already knows. I need to get it reliably roadworthy. It has been stored for years, I got it from inside an airplane hanger
It needs a radiator and hoses. I dont think I have the hot water preheat with coolant option. The heater hoses dont go rearwards. Will put a thermostat in and hope the water pump lasts a while.
I will pull the intake and do the de-crudding etc, and see about the famous crack. Block ports etc.
Gas tanks need to be emptied and lowered to do all those hoses.
I will do brake hoses etc, and see if I need shoes or pads.
I will replace the suspension airbags, I see a few options. I dont actually plan on driving any significant miles for a while. I think going original will be my choice.
The exhaust is leaking at the connection to the manifold on the LHS. Hopefully just a donut.
Steering to be checked
I also need a full set of wheels and tires unless someone can tell me there are 16.5 in tires somewhere that are compatible with my wheels. The wheel issue is the most expensive with the least labour. Any leads on a good used set of AL wheels would be appreciated
Generator to be gone through.
The power converter was dead, that is already replaced. Its too cold here to see if the fridge works. But it hums when turned on.
Not likely to move very far until the end of next summer. But Ill work on stuff as much as I can.
Attachments
Welcome Bruce,
It is nice to have a name.
Advice:
Start 5 Lists. (Mine actually has 6)
Needed Now - what you need to do so you are safe and she can be driven
Winter Jobs - (2022)the things that I hope to get done before spring (I have a warm barn to work in)
Waiting - unimportant things that are waiting for parts at the right price and my time
Deferred - Things I thought I wanted, but at very low priority (but watch for parts available
Abandon - Things I thought I wanted but now am not sure matter at all
Done - This is the best part - When something gets done, move it to this heading and include a month and year.
(Are the house batteries Really 11 years Old? Saves having to dig through your maintenance log (that you should also start mostly for regular maintenance)
If you do this right, in just a few years, the ownership of this coach will be an important part of your life and much of it will be a blur.
So, keep a separate travel log. (Mary, what year did we go to .....?)
Do you have all the documentation for owning and maintaining the coach. If you do not, it can all be downloaded at GMCMI.
I do hope you understand that getting a GMC is more than just a big new (expensive) toy. I connects you to a community that is far and away the most valuable thing you just got.
Matt
It is nice to have a name.
Advice:
Start 5 Lists. (Mine actually has 6)
Needed Now - what you need to do so you are safe and she can be driven
Winter Jobs - (2022)the things that I hope to get done before spring (I have a warm barn to work in)
Waiting - unimportant things that are waiting for parts at the right price and my time
Deferred - Things I thought I wanted, but at very low priority (but watch for parts available
Abandon - Things I thought I wanted but now am not sure matter at all
Done - This is the best part - When something gets done, move it to this heading and include a month and year.
(Are the house batteries Really 11 years Old? Saves having to dig through your maintenance log (that you should also start mostly for regular maintenance)
If you do this right, in just a few years, the ownership of this coach will be an important part of your life and much of it will be a blur.
So, keep a separate travel log. (Mary, what year did we go to .....?)
Do you have all the documentation for owning and maintaining the coach. If you do not, it can all be downloaded at GMCMI.
I do hope you understand that getting a GMC is more than just a big new (expensive) toy. I connects you to a community that is far and away the most valuable thing you just got.
Matt
Bruce,
After I went to bed, I realized that you had not gotten an answer to you question about 8.75X16.5 tires....
Firestone still makes a Transforce in that size and load range E. They are usually stocked in agrarian areas as many old farm trucks still use them.
My contact at Firestone has retired, but a few years ago he said that they were projecting a tapering demand for another 10 years (but that was at least 2 years ago). My advice is that you campaign the local wrecking yards for the few steel wheels that fit. I will try to remember to post the list to you. Even better if you can afford the bite would be to get a new set of alloy wheels that are right in all the dimensions. Other the Applied, I don't know where to get these.
Matt
After I went to bed, I realized that you had not gotten an answer to you question about 8.75X16.5 tires....
Firestone still makes a Transforce in that size and load range E. They are usually stocked in agrarian areas as many old farm trucks still use them.
My contact at Firestone has retired, but a few years ago he said that they were projecting a tapering demand for another 10 years (but that was at least 2 years ago). My advice is that you campaign the local wrecking yards for the few steel wheels that fit. I will try to remember to post the list to you. Even better if you can afford the bite would be to get a new set of alloy wheels that are right in all the dimensions. Other the Applied, I don't know where to get these.
Matt
Welcome!
The name of your model is Canyon Lands Color and Trim Album
Looks like you have a awesome time capsule. If your paint is in good shape you can have a local paint shop add some simple stripes to make it less of a "blob." Your original interior looks awesome, you even have the original clock!
Of the two forums (not including Facebook) this one is more modern and visual but with a slightly smaller reach, the other forum is hampered by being text based. The archive of the old fourm is awesome for doing research https://groups.google.com/g/gmcnet-archive
The Photo Archive http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/ is a bit maddening to use because people neglected to describe and tag their photos, but there is a lot of great info there as well.
The name of your model is Canyon Lands Color and Trim Album
Looks like you have a awesome time capsule. If your paint is in good shape you can have a local paint shop add some simple stripes to make it less of a "blob." Your original interior looks awesome, you even have the original clock!
Of the two forums (not including Facebook) this one is more modern and visual but with a slightly smaller reach, the other forum is hampered by being text based. The archive of the old fourm is awesome for doing research https://groups.google.com/g/gmcnet-archive
The Photo Archive http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/ is a bit maddening to use because people neglected to describe and tag their photos, but there is a lot of great info there as well.
Hi Bruce.
Looks like you're not far from Tremblant, beautiful country up there, a ski hill next to a racetrack and a lake, what more would anyone need, except a vintage GMC.
We are going down a similar road with ours, started a year ago and slowly getting her roadworthy.
Looks like you're not far from Tremblant, beautiful country up there, a ski hill next to a racetrack and a lake, what more would anyone need, except a vintage GMC.
We are going down a similar road with ours, started a year ago and slowly getting her roadworthy.
Jeremy,
I'm not yet understanding how you cross the info in the Color & Trim Album with the model numbers on the glove box placard. I guess I'm just being dense (yet again) but where does "ZE 06581" cross to the info in the album.
Thanks.
Doug
Hey Bruce, welcome to the club!
I got my coach in March this year - it had been stored indoors for 10 years in a school bus depot in Belleville Ontario. I took delivery of it in Scotch Creek BC and drove it down to Vancouver Island. The owner's brother had driven it from Belleville to BC the previous summer - uneventful, except for replacing the water pump somewhere in the prairies.
At first, because I was buying the coach sight unseen and thinking everything was original, I started looking for some 16.5 tires as I didn't fancy driving the 400 miles down through the canyon on old rubber.
Eventually I got a friend (friend now, but at that time just a contact I found through the blacklist) to go check the storage yard in Scotch Creek and was relieved to find the steel wheels were replacements. She was fitted with 16's not 16.5's.
I ordered 7 new Kumho's from blackcircles.ca (based in Quebec) and had them delivered to a tire installer in Chase BC. I think the total cost for 7 was somewhere around C$1300 incl tax, delivered.
The blackcircles website doesn't show 16.5 as an option, but they can of course supply any tire. I know they have access to Firestones and any oher brand you fancy - give them a call, I found them to be extremely helpful on the phone.
Matt has suggested looking around for some 16" steel rims and if you do that, many more tire options come to light. I'd love a set of alloys from JimK in California, but with US$ and shipping, well, y'know the rest. If cost is no concern, go for it. Personally I like a deal, so my steel wheels and a $100 set of chrome plastic covers from eBay suit me fine.
I've been told I'm one of the lucky ones. I did spend about 3 months getting the coach systems up to snuff and doing all the long overdue maintenance/repairs, but when July rolled around I was able to hit the road and used her all through the summer. At my advanced years
I can't take on projects that last too too long ...(although I did buy another boat last week ---eeek!)
cheers
Larry
I got my coach in March this year - it had been stored indoors for 10 years in a school bus depot in Belleville Ontario. I took delivery of it in Scotch Creek BC and drove it down to Vancouver Island. The owner's brother had driven it from Belleville to BC the previous summer - uneventful, except for replacing the water pump somewhere in the prairies.
At first, because I was buying the coach sight unseen and thinking everything was original, I started looking for some 16.5 tires as I didn't fancy driving the 400 miles down through the canyon on old rubber.
Eventually I got a friend (friend now, but at that time just a contact I found through the blacklist) to go check the storage yard in Scotch Creek and was relieved to find the steel wheels were replacements. She was fitted with 16's not 16.5's.
I ordered 7 new Kumho's from blackcircles.ca (based in Quebec) and had them delivered to a tire installer in Chase BC. I think the total cost for 7 was somewhere around C$1300 incl tax, delivered.
The blackcircles website doesn't show 16.5 as an option, but they can of course supply any tire. I know they have access to Firestones and any oher brand you fancy - give them a call, I found them to be extremely helpful on the phone.
Matt has suggested looking around for some 16" steel rims and if you do that, many more tire options come to light. I'd love a set of alloys from JimK in California, but with US$ and shipping, well, y'know the rest. If cost is no concern, go for it. Personally I like a deal, so my steel wheels and a $100 set of chrome plastic covers from eBay suit me fine.
I've been told I'm one of the lucky ones. I did spend about 3 months getting the coach systems up to snuff and doing all the long overdue maintenance/repairs, but when July rolled around I was able to hit the road and used her all through the summer. At my advanced years
I can't take on projects that last too too long ...(although I did buy another boat last week ---eeek!)cheers
Larry
Hi Doug,
Probably a little confustion with technical terms. The "Model" is 26ft Motrhome (there was also a 23ft Motorhome, and in 1975-8 26ft Transmode and a 23ft Transmode) and that is what ZE06581 refers to. I think what Bruce wanted to identify was his decor, or what GMC called "Trim Group."
With 1973 and 1974 the RPO code for the decor is not listed on the glovebox sticker. Painted Desert was RPO Code 695. Each decor had a distinct upholstery pattern, I included the link to the album so Bruce could see his is clearly Painted Desert.
Thanks Jeremy.
I am not so fortunate as to have any original upholstery, though my glove box sticker also reads ZE06581.
This is mostly a fools errand of curiosity, but...
My '73 26-footer has tan and brown paint and it was presented to me by the PO as a CanyonLands, but chips around the gas fill door show green below and it's a deeper green than the zink-chromate primers I've seen. And in the rabbit hole where the vacuum was (now a pantry) there is green shag carpet at floor level. And the lower sliding doors in the bathroom are green. All of which lead me to believe that it is an ex-Sequoia which had the only green interior colors in '73. On the glove box decal it does say that the exterior color was white which leaves me at a loss as to where the green came from at the gas door chips. Anyway, my coach has clearly been repainted, but quite a long time ago (I've had it 25 years). It's been a bit of an archeology dig to try to figure out what my coach was from the factory, so I'm grasping at anything that might shed light on it.
Doug
Bruce,
Another Bruce here! Welcome to the GMC Motorhome adventure.
You may wish to join the GMC Heritage Cruisers club. Our club covers approximately 200 mile radius of Niagara Falls. We generally have two of our club rallies each summer in Eastern Ontario.
Another Bruce here! Welcome to the GMC Motorhome adventure.
You may wish to join the GMC Heritage Cruisers club. Our club covers approximately 200 mile radius of Niagara Falls. We generally have two of our club rallies each summer in Eastern Ontario.
Larry,
While I agree that the FB pages are not real valuable (close to dangerous in some cases) and this is a very good and easy to work site, the original forum still serves well. If some one is stuck without broadband service and wants to work that forum, it can still be accessed as a mail list. This is good to know as I have had to do that when traveling and before cell phone tethers got good. I will admit that the photo gallery is tough to use, but that is a lack of protocol on the part of the users - Like Me.
Matt
While I agree that the FB pages are not real valuable (close to dangerous in some cases) and this is a very good and easy to work site, the original forum still serves well. If some one is stuck without broadband service and wants to work that forum, it can still be accessed as a mail list. This is good to know as I have had to do that when traveling and before cell phone tethers got good. I will admit that the photo gallery is tough to use, but that is a lack of protocol on the part of the users - Like Me.
Matt
